Updating elements in a data storage facility using a predefined state machine, with serial activation

ABSTRACT

A technique for updating elements in a data storage facility, including a single server or a multi-server system, such as by providing updated internal code packages to the elements. The update is performed using a fixed state machine, where the elements are updated in a coordinated manner within the constraints of the state machine. In a multi-server device, code packages are distributed to elements associated with the different servers in one traversal of the state machine, during distribute states of the state machine. The distributed code packages are activated in activate states of the state machine in multiple traversals of the state machine, so there is a serial activation. The code packages can be grouped in a flexible way by configuring an external update bundle used by the state machine. The distributing of the code is based on the grouping.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to co-pending, commonly-assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______, to Y. Hsu et al., filed Ser. No. ______,entitled “Updating Elements In A Data Storage Facility Using APredefined State Machine, With Parallel Activation” (docket no.TUC920040179US1).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of data storage in computersystems and, more specifically, to a technique for updating elements ina multi-server data storage facility using a state machine.

2. Description of the Related Art

Storage facilities such as storage servers as commonly used bycorporations and other organizations have high-capacity disk arrays tostore large amounts of data from external host systems. A storagefacility may also backup data from another storage facility, such as ata remote site. The IBM® Enterprise Storage Server (ESS) is an example ofsuch a storage facility. Such facilities can access arrays of disks orother storage media to store and retrieve data. Moreover, redundantcapabilities may be provided as a further safeguard against data loss.For example, a dual server system includes two separate servers that canaccess the same storage disks.

Moreover, storage facilities include several subsystems and components,referred to as updateable elements, each requiring its own unique updateimage and update commands. The elements are updated from time to time toprovide new features or fix problems, for instance. Elements that may beupdated include host adapters, device adapters, service processors,storage disks, power components, and so forth.

However, there is a need for greater flexibility in the update process,particularly when the update process is carried out using a fixed statemachine.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address these and other issues, the present invention describes atechnique for updating elements in a data storage facility, including asingle server or a multi-server system, such as by providing updatedinternal code to the elements. The update is performed using a fixedstate machine, where the elements are updated in a coordinated mannerwithin the constraints of the state machine. The update includes codedistribution and/or code activation. Groups of elements can beidentified in a flexible way such that the code is distributed and/oractivated according to the group. Additionally, the distributed code canbe activated serially, one server at a time.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for deploying computinginfrastructure, includes integrating computer-readable code into acomputing system comprising a data storage facility having at least afirst server with an associated updateable element, and a second serverwith an associated updateable element, where the code in combinationwith the computing system is capable of coordinating update actions inthe storage facility by performing a method. The method includes settinga sequence for distributing a plurality of code packages to theassociated updateable elements of the first and second servers accordingto different states of a fixed state machine, wherein the states aretraversed in sequence, and include at least one distribute state fordistributing at least a portion of the plurality of code packages, anddistributing the at least a portion of the plurality of code packages tothe updateable elements of the first and second servers according to thesequence and during the at least one distribute state in a singletraversal of the state machine.

In another aspect, in a method of the above-mentioned type, the statemachine further includes at least one activate state for activating theat least a portion of the plurality of code packages after it isdistributed to the associated updateable elements of the first andsecond servers. The method further includes activating, during the atleast one activate state, and in the single traversal of the statemachine, the at least a portion of the plurality of code packages thatwere distributed to the updateable element of the first server in thedistributing step, and activating, during the at least one activatestate, and in a subsequent traversal of the state machine, the at leasta portion of the plurality of code packages that was distributed to theupdateable element of the second server in the distributing step.

In another aspect, a method of the first above-mentioned type furtherincludes grouping the associated updateable elements of the first andsecond servers in a group, and distributing, responsive to the grouping,at least a portion of the plurality of code packages to the updateableelements of the first and second servers according to the sequence andduring the at least one distribute state in a single traversal of thestate machine.

In another aspect, a method for deploying computing infrastructureincludes integrating computer-readable code into a computing systemcomprising a data storage facility having a first server with aplurality of associated updateable elements, where the code incombination with the computing system is capable of coordinating updateactions in the storage facility by performing a method. The methodincludes setting a sequence for distributing a plurality of codepackages to the plurality of associated updateable elements according todifferent states of a fixed state machine, wherein the states aretraversed in sequence, and include at least one distribute state fordistributing at least a portion of the plurality of code packages,grouping at least two of the plurality of code packages in a group, anddistributing, responsive to the grouping, the at least a portion of theplurality of code packages to the plurality of associated updateableelements in the group according to the sequence and during the at leastone distribute state in a single traversal of the state machine.

Related program storage devices and data storage facility apparatusesmay also be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, benefits and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent by reference to the following text andfigures, with like reference numbers referring to like structures acrossthe views, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a storage facility;

FIG. 2 illustrates a state machine for carrying out an update process;

FIG. 3 illustrates a matrix showing an update process;

FIG. 4 illustrates an update flow process; and

FIG. 5 illustrates activation states for the update flow process of FIG.4 for a server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As mentioned, from time to time it is necessary to update code used bydifferent elements in a storage facility. Such code is commonly referredto as Licensed Maintenance Code (LMC). The Storage Facility includesseveral subsystems and components, referred to as updateable elements,each requiring its own unique update image and update commands.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a Storage Facility. An overallproduct includes a Hardware Management Console (HMC) 190, such as alaptop computer, and at least one Storage Facility (SF) 100. The exampleStorage Facility (SF) 100 includes at least one Storage Facility Image(SFI) 105 and a power supply group 115, which includes power supplies116 and 117. In particular, the power supply group 115 includes a rackpower control (RPC) and a primary power supply (PPS), which may betreated as one unit for the purposes of updating code. The SFI includestwo servers (redundant servers) S0 (140) and S1 (160), and several diskdrive modules (DDMs) 110, which are data storage devices for customerdata, and several host adapters (HAs) 120. HAs are physical subunits ofa storage server that provide the ability to attach to one or more hostI/O interfaces. Each server 140, 160 includes at least one hard diskdrive (HDD) 144, 164, also referred to as a logical partition (LPAR), atleast two device adapters (DAs), 143, 163, housed in at least onestorage enclosure (SE) 142, 162, and a service processor group 146, 166,respectively, (sometimes referred to as Squadrons or Computer-ElectronicComplexes (CECs)). A CEC is the set of hardware facilities associatedwith each server 140, 160. DAs are physical components of the StorageFacility 100 that provide communication between the servers 140, 160 andthe DDMs 110.

Each of the HDDs 144, 164 has an operating system running on it, such asIBM's AIX 5L operating system software, along with a driver, alsoreferred to as SFI code. The SFI has numerous components with code foreach component. The SFI code can be thought of as the main code whichcoordinates the activities of most of the other components and code. Theinvention involves, in part, updating the operating system and SFI codeonto the HDDs 144, 164. The service processor groups 146, 166 and theHDDs 144, 164, respectively, combine to provide the server foundation,yet the server is incomplete without the other elements.

Typically, when a code update is needed, a technician is dispatched tothe location of the Storage Facility and uses the HMC 190 to perform theupdates. Alternatively, the customer may use the HMC 190 to perform theupdates. Furthermore, the update may be done remotely. The HMC 190 mayhave the code for updating the elements stored locally, such as on aCD-ROM, or may access such code via a web site, for example. Generally,the updateable elements include the HDD 144, 164, host adapters 120,power supply component 115, DDMs 110, storage enclosures 142, 162,device adapters 143, 163, and service processor groups 146, 166.

FIG. 2 illustrates a state machine for carrying out an update process.The invention is used to coordinate the update actions for each of theupdateable elements in the context of a fixed state machine thattraverses different states in a fixed sequence. The traversal of thestates is repeated in successive cycles or loops. For example, asimplified state machine 200 includes states 205, 210, 215 and 220,which are traversed one at a time in the sequence shown. In practice,the present invention can traverse dozens or hundreds of differentstates, although an action is not necessarily performed for eachupdateable element in each state. Each state is associated with one ormore actions that are performed in updating the elements, as detailedbelow.

FIG. 3 illustrates a matrix showing an update process. A first columnlists different states, also referred to as effectors, e.g., S-1 toS-17, as indicated in Table 1. TABLE 1 State: Action: (Packages states)S-1 UpdatePackageSetLock S-2 UpdatePackageSetup S-3UpdatePackagePreverify S-4 UpdatePackageDistribute S-5UpdatePackageUnpack S-6 UpdatePackageInstall S-7 UpdatePackageCleanupS-8 UpdatePackageUnlock (Activate states) S-9 UpdateActivateSetlock S-10UpdateActivateSetup S-11 UpdateApplicationDeactivate S-12UpdateElementDeactivate S-13 UpdateElementInstall S-14UpdateElementActivate S-15 UpdateApplicationActivate S-16UpdateActivateCleanup S-17 UpdateActivateUnlock

Note that the states shown are examples only. Generally, states S-1 toS-8 can be considered package states, relating to distribution of a codepackage, or at least a portion of a code package, and states S-9 to S-17can be considered activate states, relating to the activation of adistributed code package or the portion thereof. In particular, instates S-1 and S-2, a setup action is performed. In states S-3 to S-5,an image or code is distributed to one or more elements. In state S-6,the distributed code is installed at the element. In states S-7 and S-8,post-installation actions are performed. In states S-9 and S-10,pre-activation actions are performed. In states S-11 and S-12, anelement is quiesced and rebooted. In state S-13, the code at an elementis installed. In states S-14 and S-15, an element is rebooted and canresume its normal operation. In states S-16 and S-17, post activationactions are performed for an element.

The remaining columns list code packages, e.g., power and serviceprocessor group code packages, HDD code packages (e.g., AIX, AIX-PTF(program temporary fix), AIX-EFIX (electronic fix), and SFI), and DA,HA, SE and DDM code packages. The cells under each code package indicatea sequence number (e.g., 1, 2, 3 . . . ). A cell with only a sequencenumber indicates there is no operation of the state, e.g., no action isapplied relative to the code package. The notation (S0, S1) indicatesthe action is applied to a code package for both servers S0 and S1 (ormore than two servers, if present) essentially at the same time or oneafter another. The notation (S0) or (S1) in the heading of a separatesub-column indicates the action is applied to the code packagesdiscretely for each server.

The sequence number in each cell indicates the sequence in which theactions of the states are carried out. In some cases, an action isapplied to only one code package in a single state, in one traversal ofthe state machine. In other cases, an action is applied to multiple codepackages in a single state, in one traversal of the state machine. Thiscan be achieved by grouping that code packages, as discussed furtherbelow. The correlation between the traversals or loops of the statemachines and the sequence numbers is as indicated in Table 2. TABLE 2Traversal No.: Sequence Nos.: 1  1-17 2 18-34 3 35-41 4  42-109 5110-145 6 146-162 7 163-171 8 172-188 9 189-197 10 198-214 11 215-231 12232-240

As indicated in FIG. 3, one traversal of the state machine is used forapplying some of the actions to one server, while in other cases, onetraversal of the state machine is sued for applying some of the actionto multiple servers. Furthermore, regarding the host adapters (HAs),device adapters (DAs), and the disk drive modules (DDMs), a separatetraversal of the state machine is used for applying the actions in theactivate states S9-S17 to each element. Two HAs, HA1 and HA2, two DAs,DA1 and DA2, and two DDMs, DDM1 and DDM2, are provided as examples. Inpractice there can be many more than two of these elements, in whichcase additional traversals of the state machine are used for eachelement. Note also that separate traversals are used for activating thedistributed code for the HDD-related code packages (AIX, AIX-PTF,AIX-EFIX and SFI) for servers S0 (traversal #4) and S1 (traversal #5).

Alternatively, it is possible to provide code for updating the HAs aspart of the SFI update. When both servers (HDDs) are rebooted, and whenthe server code comes up, it recognizes that there is no HA code andgrabs the HA code without any additional work from the update process.In this case, it is not necessary to use the state machine to separatelyupdate the HAs. As a further alternative, it is possible to move theservice processor group code in with the overall group of the AIX,AIX-PTF, AIX-EFIX and SFI code, in which case a separate traversal ofthe state machine is not needed for updating the service processor groupcode.

Generally, the product LMC update architecture follows a fixed statemachine process that is typically implemented to update a singleelement. While it is possible to provide an implementation where a statemachine is optimized to the flow of the update process, in other casesthe update process must be conducted where the sequencing of the statemachine from state to state is relatively fixed on a higherarchitectural level. The preset invention works within the confines ofthe fixed state machine to provide a flexible implementation wheremultiple element groupings and update sequences can be provided. Theupdate sequence and order depend on the installation method and anupdate bundle grouping rules file, which is used by the HMC 190 toupdate the Storage Facility 100 with the different code packages, andwhich can be dynamically modified from one code load to the next. Theinvention provides a solution that provides flexibility within the fixedstate machine's states, while also allowing the ability to loop overgroups of states.

In particular, the update process can follow the predefined fixed statemachine sequencing while providing the versatility to act on multipleelements within a given state as prescribed by a grouping schemeprovided in the dynamic update bundle. A mechanism is provided toresequence through, or repeat, sets of states for multiple elementsbased on a grouping scheme provided in the dynamic update bundle. Anadvantage of the invention is therefore that it provides a way to updatemultiple elements within the architecture of a more restrictive singleelement state machine process. The invention also provides a way todynamically change the element update order and the element updategroupings by changing their group and sequence identifiers in the updatebundle rather than changing the code that does the update, therebyproviding flexibility without changing code. The invention also providesa way to correctly sequence through a list of updateable elements evenwhen one or more of the updateable elements are removed from the updatebundle by some arbitrary means.

In particular, the update process is designed to update all of theupdateable elements. However, if the user or some other process decidesto update a subset of those elements, then the update process willupdate only that subset of elements. This may be achieved by the user bydeselecting the elements from the displayed updateable element list atthe beginning of the update process, or it may be accomplished byexcluding the specific updateable elements from a Release Bundle. TheRelease Bundle is a file that contains a list of all of the updateablepackages for a specific code release. A modified Release Bundle, orUpdate Bundle, contains a list of the packages that will be updated forthe specific update process. The state machine will sequentially gothrough the Update Bundle and apply the packages from the Update Bundleto the corresponding updateable elements.

Furthermore, the invention provides a way to separate the updates onupdateable elements by cluster, e.g., server, resource, a process thatensures that specific multiple cluster resources are not updated at thesame time, even though parts of their updates may occur simultaneously.

The invention operates within the context of a fixed state machine andcan include the following objects or attributes:

a. Update Bundle Rules File

-   -   ii. Element Update Sequence (order)—defined by placement order        in update bundle

iii. Element Update Groupings

-   -   b. Code to extract the Update Bundle information

c. Code to sequence through the state machine and properly call updatemethods for each Element based on the Element, Group.

d. Code to execute the specific update methods for each updateableelement.

The following Update Bundle (Table 3) provides an example of how theinvention can be implemented. TABLE 3 Sample Update Bundle: UpdatePackage Group Pkg1 A Pkg2 A Pkg3 B Pkg4 B Pkg5 B Pkg6 B Pkg7 C Pkg8 C

The update bundle specifies the order in which specific update packagesshould be applied to the various updateable elements within the StorageFacility in the left-most column, “Update Packages”, the order beingfrom top to bottom. The package names are chosen for illustrativepurposes only. The Group assignments are specified in the second column,“Group”. For example, Pkg1 and Pkg2 are in update group “A”. Eachpackage may be associated with a Group, and each Group may have one ormore Update Package members.

The state machine executes its states sequentially for each Group. Aftercompleting states 1-N for Group A, where N is the number of states, thestate machine repeats states 1-N for Group B, and so forth for the othergroups. For each updateable element in a group, the packages can beoperated on sequentially for the updateable element. For example, forstate 1, Pkg3 can be operated on for the updateable element, followed byPkg4, then Pkg5, and finally Pkg6. For state 2, Pkg3 is operated on forthe updateable element, followed by Pkg4, then Pkg5, and finally Pkg6,and so forth for the other states.

Generally, to sequentially update multiple elements within a Group, allof the states are executed against the code packages and/or elementsdefined by the group. Then, after a successful completion, all of thestates are executed against another subset of the code packages and/orelements, and so forth until all updateable elements are updated. Notethat the states are sometimes executed against a package, as in thedistribute states of the state machine, and, at other times, the statemachine targets the updateable elements and its corresponding packagesor just the updateable elements.

Moreover, the process may be considered to be a concurrent updateprocess since at least one server is always fully functional. That is,the Storage Facility Image 105 can be thought of as a black box that isalways operational and, from a customer perspective, the I/O operationsare available 100% of the time, typically with minimal throughputdegradation. So, a concurrent update may remove a group of updateableelements from operation while they are being updated, but thecomplementary group on the other server is still operational. Forexample, only one HDD will be rebooted at a time.

FIG. 4 illustrates an update flow process. The flow process of FIG. 4provides a summary of the information presented in FIG. 3, but withreference to the physical updateable elements rather than the codepackages. As mentioned, states S-1 to S-8 can be considered packagestates, relating to distribution of a code package, and states S-9 toS-17 can be considered activate states, relating to the activation of adistributed code package. The power component is the first element thatis updated. The package states are traversed for the power component,and then the activate states. The service processor groups are processednext. The package states are traversed, and then the activate states S-9to S-10. The first server S0 is selected, then the activate states S-11to S-17 are traversed for S0. Next, the second server S1 is selected,then the activate states S-11 to S-17 are traversed for S1. The processcan be repeated accordingly for additional servers. The HDDs areprocessed next. The package states are traversed, the first server S0 isselected, then the activate states are traversed for S0. Next, thesecond server S1 is selected, then the activate states are traversed forS1. The process can be repeated accordingly for additional servers.Further details regarding the activate states for the HDD are providedin FIG. 5.

The HAs are processed next. The package states are traversed, the firstHA (HA1) is selected, then the activate states are traversed. Next, thesecond HA (HA2) is selected, then the activate states are traversed. Theprocess can be repeated accordingly for additional HAs. The DAs areprocessed next. The package states are traversed, the first DA (DA1) isselected, then the activate states are traversed. Next, the second DA(DA2) is selected, then the activate states are traversed. The processcan be repeated accordingly for additional DAs.

The storage enclosures are processed next. The package states aretraversed, then the activate states are traversed. The DDMs areprocessed next. The package states are traversed, the first DDM (DDM1)is selected, then the activate states are traversed. Next, the secondDDM (DDM2) is selected, then the activate states are traversed. Theprocess can be repeated accordingly for additional DDMs.

FIG. 5 illustrates activation states for the update flow process of FIG.4 for a server. In particular, FIG. 5 provides further details regardingthe activate states for the HDDs. The process shown is the same for theHDD of each server, and represents the details of the actions referredto by the notation “Activate states S-9 to S-17” for S0 and S1 in FIG.4. Recalling that states S-9 to S-17 are considered activate states, theactions of the first of these states (S-9) is carried out to activatethe code package for AIX, then the code package for AIX PTF, then thecode package for AIX EFIX, and then the code package for the SFI. Theactions of the next state (S-10) are then carried out to activate thecode package for AIX, then the code package for AIX PTF, then the codepackage for AIX EFIX, and then the code package for the SFI. The processis repeatedly accordingly until the last activate state (S-17) isreached. Again, the actions of the state S-17 are carried out toactivate the code package for AIX, then the code package for AIX PTF,then the code package for AIX EFIX, and then the code package for theSFI, thereby completing the activation of the HDD. The process of FIG. 5is subsequently repeated to activate the HDD of the next server.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the invention provides a technique fordistributing code packages to two (or theoretically more) servers on onepass through the distribute portion of a state machine. The activationcan be performed on one server per single pass through the activateportion of the state machine. The process loops over the activateportion of the state machine—one loop for each server—so that theservers are activated serially to maintain customer service. That is,only one server is taken out of service at a time. However, the processcan be carried out on a single server as well. The elements and/or codepackages can be grouped in a dynamically updateable manner to controlthe sequence of code distribution and activation.

Note that the invention described herein may be deployed on an existingor new computing infrastructure, such as a data storage facility, byintegrating computer-readable code into the storage facility, where thecode in combination with the storage facility is capable of performing amethod for achieving the functionality described herein.

The invention has been described herein with reference to particularexemplary embodiments. Certain alterations and modifications may beapparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scopeof the invention. The exemplary embodiments are meant to beillustrative, not limiting of the scope of the invention, which isdefined by the appended claims.

1. A method for deploying computing infrastructure, comprisingintegrating computer-readable code into a computing system comprising adata storage facility having at least a first server with an associatedupdateable element, and a second server with an associated updateableelement, where the code in combination with the computing system iscapable of coordinating update actions in the storage facility byperforming a method comprising: setting a sequence for distributing aplurality of code packages to the associated updateable elements of thefirst and second servers according to different states of a fixed statemachine; wherein the states are traversed in sequence, and include atleast one distribute state for distributing at least a portion of theplurality of code packages; and distributing the at least a portion ofthe plurality of code packages to the updateable elements of the firstand second servers according to the sequence and during the at least onedistribute state in a single traversal of the state machine.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: the states include at least one activatestate for activating the plurality of code packages after they aredistributed to the associated updateable elements of the first andsecond servers; and the method further comprises: activating, during theat least one activate state, and in the single traversal of the statemachine, the at least a portion of the plurality of code packages thatwas distributed to the updateable element of the first server in thedistributing step; and activating, during the at least one activatestate, and in a subsequent traversal of the state machine, the at leasta portion of the plurality of code packages that was distributed to theupdateable element of the second server in the distributing step.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: grouping at least two of theplurality of code packages; wherein the distributing is responsive tothe grouping.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein: the grouping isachieved by configuring an external update bundle used by the statemachine.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: the associated updateableelements of the first and second servers comprise at least one of: apower supply component, a hard disk drive, a storage facility image, ahost adapter, a device adapter, a storage enclosure, and a disk drivemodule.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the associated updateableelements of the first and second servers comprise hard disk drives, andthe plurality of code packages comprise operating system code for use bythe hard disk drives.
 7. At least one program storage device tangiblyembodying a program of instructions executable by at least one processorto perform a method for coordinating update actions in a storagefacility having at least a first server with an associated updateableelement, and a second server with an associated updateable element, themethod comprising: setting a sequence for distributing a plurality ofcode packages to the associated updateable elements of the first andsecond servers according to different states of a fixed state machine;wherein the states are traversed in sequence, and include at least onedistribute state for distributing at least a portion of the plurality ofcode packages; and distributing the at least a portion of the pluralityof code packages to the updateable elements of the first and secondservers according to the sequence and during the at least one distributestate in a single traversal of the state machine.
 8. The at least oneprogram storage device of claim 7, wherein: the associated updateableelements of the first and second servers comprise at least one of: apower supply component, a hard disk drive, a storage facility image, ahost adapter, a device adapter, a storage enclosure, and a disk drivemodule.
 9. The at least one program storage device of claim 7, wherein:the associated updateable elements of the first and second serverscomprise hard disk drives, and the plurality of code packages compriseoperating system code for use by the hard disk drives.
 10. A method fordeploying computing infrastructure, comprising integratingcomputer-readable code into a computing system comprising a data storagefacility having at least a first server with an associated updateableelement, and a second server with an associated updateable element,where the code in combination with the computing system is capable ofcoordinating update actions in the storage facility by performing amethod comprising: setting a sequence for distributing a plurality ofcode packages to the associated updateable elements of the first andsecond servers according to different states of a fixed state machine;wherein the states are traversed in sequence, and include at least onedistribute state for distributing at least a portion of the plurality ofcode packages, and at least one activate state for activating the atleast a portion of the plurality of code packages after it isdistributed to the associated updateable elements of the first andsecond servers; distributing the at least a portion of the plurality ofcode packages to the updateable elements of the first and second serversaccording to the sequence and during the at least one distribute statein a single traversal of the state machine; activating, during the atleast one activate state, and in the single traversal of the statemachine, the at least a portion of the plurality of code packages thatwas distributed to the updateable element of the first server in thedistributing step; and activating, during the at least one activatestate, and in a subsequent traversal of the state machine, the at leasta portion of the plurality of code packages that was distributed to theupdateable element of the second server in the distributing step. 11.The method of claim 10, further comprising: grouping at least two of theplurality of code packages; wherein the distributing is responsive tothe grouping.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein: the grouping isachieved by configuring an external update bundle used by the statemachine.
 13. At least one program storage device tangibly embodying aprogram of instructions executable by at least one processor to performa method for coordinating update actions in a storage facility having atleast a first server with an associated updateable element, and a secondserver with an associated updateable element, the method comprising:setting a sequence for distributing a plurality of code packages to theassociated updateable elements of the first and second servers accordingto different states of a fixed state machine; wherein the states aretraversed in sequence, and include at least one distribute state fordistributing at least a portion of the plurality of code packages, andat least one activate state for activating the at least a portion of theplurality of code packages after it is distributed to the associatedupdateable elements of the first and second servers; distributing the atleast a portion of the plurality of code packages to the updateableelements of the first and second servers according to the sequence andduring the at least one distribute state in a single traversal of thestate machine; activating, during the at least one activate state, andin the single traversal of the state machine, the at least a portion ofthe plurality of code packages that was distributed to the updateableelement of the first server in the distributing step; and activating,during the at least one activate state, and in a subsequent traversal ofthe state machine, the at least a portion of the plurality of codepackages that was distributed to the updateable element of the secondserver in the distributing step.
 14. The at least one program storagedevice of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: grouping atleast two of the plurality of code packages; wherein the distributing isresponsive to the grouping.
 15. The at least one program storage deviceof claim 14, wherein: the grouping is achieved by configuring anexternal update bundle used by the state machine.
 16. A method fordeploying computing infrastructure, comprising integratingcomputer-readable code into a computing system comprising a data storagefacility having at least a first server with an associated updateableelement, and a second server with an associated updateable element,where the code in combination with the computing system is capable ofcoordinating update actions in the storage facility by performing amethod comprising: setting a sequence for distributing a plurality ofcode packages to the associated updateable elements of the first andsecond servers according to different states of a fixed state machine;wherein the states are traversed in sequence, and include at least onedistribute state for distributing at least a portion of the plurality ofcode packages; grouping at least two of the plurality of code packages;and distributing, responsive to the grouping, the at least a portion ofthe plurality of code packages to the updateable elements of the firstand second servers according to the sequence and during the at least onedistribute state in a single traversal of the state machine.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein: the states include at least one activatestate for activating the at least a portion of the plurality of codepackages after it is distributed to the associated updateable elementsof the first and second servers; and the method further comprises:activating, during the at least one activate state, and in the singletraversal of the state machine, the at least a portion of the pluralityof code packages that was distributed to the updateable element of thefirst server in the distributing step; and activating, during the atleast one activate state, and in a subsequent traversal of the statemachine, the at least a portion of the plurality of code packages thatwas distributed to the updateable element of the second server in thedistributing step.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein: the grouping isachieved by configuring an external update bundle used by the statemachine.
 19. At least one program storage device tangibly embodying aprogram of instructions executable by at least one processor to performa method for coordinating update actions in a data storage facilityhaving at least a first server with an associated updateable element,the method comprising: setting a sequence for distributing a pluralityof code packages to the associated updateable elements of the first andsecond servers according to different states of a fixed state machine;wherein the states are traversed in sequence, and include at least onedistribute state for distributing at least a portion of the plurality ofcode packages; grouping at least two of plurality of code packages; anddistributing, responsive to the grouping, the at least a portion of theplurality of code packages to the updateable elements of the first andsecond servers according to the sequence and during the at least onedistribute state in a single traversal of the state machine.
 20. The atleast one program storage device of claim 19, wherein: the grouping isachieved by configuring an external update bundle used by the statemachine.
 21. A method for deploying computing infrastructure, comprisingintegrating computer-readable code into a computing system comprising adata storage facility having a first server with a plurality ofassociated updateable elements, where the code in combination with thecomputing system is capable of coordinating update actions in thestorage facility by performing a method comprising: setting a sequencefor distributing a plurality of code packages to the plurality ofassociated updateable elements according to different states of a fixedstate machine; wherein the states are traversed in sequence, and includeat least one distribute state for distributing at least a portion of theplurality of code packages; grouping at least two of the plurality ofcode packages; and distributing, responsive to the grouping, the atleast a portion of the plurality of code packages to the plurality ofassociated updateable elements according to the sequence and during theat least one distribute state in a single traversal of the statemachine.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein: the states include atleast one activate state for activating the at least a portion of theplurality of code packages after it is distributed to the plurality ofassociated updateable elements; and the method further comprisesactivating, during the at least one activate state, and in the singletraversal of the state machine, the at least a portion of the pluralityof code packages that were distributed to the plurality of associatedupdateable elements in the distributing step.
 23. The method of claim21, wherein: the grouping is achieved by configuring an external updatebundle used by the state machine.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein:the plurality of associated updateable elements comprise at least oneof: a power supply component, a hard disk drive, a storage facilityimage, a host adapter, a device adapter, a storage enclosure, and a diskdrive module.
 25. At least one program storage device tangibly embodyinga program of instructions executable by at least one processor toperform a method for coordinating update actions in a data storagefacility having a first server with a plurality of associated updateableelements, the method comprising: setting a sequence for distributing aplurality of code packages to the plurality of associated updateableelements according to different states of a fixed state machine; whereinthe states are traversed in sequence, and include at least onedistribute state for distributing at least a portion of the plurality ofcode packages; grouping at least two of the plurality of code packages;and distributing, responsive to the grouping, the at least a portion ofthe plurality of code packages to the plurality of associated updateableelements according to the sequence and during the at least onedistribute state in a single traversal of the state machine.
 26. The atleast one program storage device of claim 25, wherein: the statesinclude at least one activate state for activating the at least aportion of the plurality of code packages after it is distributed to theplurality of associated updateable elements; and the method furthercomprises activating, during the at least one activate state, and in thesingle traversal of the state machine, the at least a portion of theplurality of code packages that was distributed to the plurality ofassociated updateable elements in the distributing step.
 27. The atleast one program storage device of claim 25, wherein: the grouping isachieved by configuring an external update bundle used by the statemachine.
 28. The at least one program storage device of claim 25,wherein: the plurality of associated updateable elements comprise atleast one of: a power supply component, a hard disk drive, a storagefacility image, a host adapter, a device adapter, a storage enclosure,and a disk drive module.